"I think we're getting into the heart of the woods..." Said the March Hare only to get interrupted by Bronya. "Bunny Girl, Bronya understands your desire for rest. But resting here has a high probability of unwanted encounters." Said Bronya. "You are right, Mad Hatter. I shall listen to your side advice." Said the March Hare. "The only clue after the previous encounter was: "Sage Sasuga was here. Rip some rhymes with an ancient true." This script is..." ""Get behind the snowperson."" Bronya interrupted me. "Oh? What did you just say?" I asked. ""Get behind the snowperson." Subject Patrick, the line is written underneath your feet." Said Bronya. "She inscribed it on ice! What does this mean?" I asked. "Subject Patrick, we should focus on looking for the snowperson." "Of course. We should focus on gathering intel..."

We came up to another sign. "That snowperson with outstretched hands seems to be hiding secrets. We can probably move that thing over if we can use it." "The thing... it sounds like a mechanism... we should take a look in front of the snowperson." I said.

The March Hare came across something. "Patrick, I've found the snowperson described in the message." Said the March Hare. ""Get behind the snowperson"... this snowperson must be hiding something behind it." I said. ""Get behind" has something to do with the mechanisms of this place." Said Bronya. "I guess this area is hiding some dimensional travel apparatus." "The Bronya agrees." "Let's check another place."

We came upon a tree with a blue star on top of it. "Strange thing up ahead." Said Bronya. "That's the entrance to the heart of the forest. Allow me to chop down these troublesome trees." Said the March Hare. "Subject Bunny Girl's proposal is useless. Such game seldom feature destructible environments. There are no shortcuts." Said Bronya. "Is that the basic problem of every RPG?" I asked. "It is the basic instinct of a true player." Answered Bronya.

We continued until we came across a mysterious person. "Subject Patrick, there's a masked lady up ahead." The Bronya said just as I saw the masked lady. 'She looks exactly like Kallen Kaslana. First the March Hare looks like Yae Sakura and now this masked lady looks like Kallen Kaslana.' I said in my mind before speaking out loud. "I knew it. Bet her next lines are: "The Rogue Extraordinaire steals from the rich and gives to the poor."" "Halt! The Rogue Extraordinaire steals from the rich and gives to the poor! You rich? Give us cash!" Shouts the masked lady known as the Cheshire Kitty. "No. We're not. We're not rich or poor." I said. "What? Really?" Asked the Cheshire Kitty. "Yep that's right. You should come up with something new." "The Rogue Extraordinaire serves a greater purpose than depriving the rich of their cash." "You're good at improvising. You should join a theater troupe."

"The Sage's Stone is the dream of every alchemist... and mundane people as well." "So?" "Such treasure will attract the attention of vile villains." "So? What about that?" "Yes, you guessed it. I was and still am! The underworld calls me Rogue Extraordinaire, the Dark Wind, the Cheshire Kitty..." "I suppose you're the one spreading rumors about the Diviner Demoness." "Well met, like-minded friend. Let me know if you learned anything about the Sage's Stone. I'll trade you a clue. Some mechanism must be here somewhere. Step on them to remove the barriers. Godspeed, adventurer. I'll be off." "Hey, wait! That's one of the worst scripted dialog event ever. How are we supposed to find her in these woods?" But the masked lady was already gone.

"Subject Rogue has silver hair. It reminds the Bronya of bad experiences with the Idiotka-kind." Said Bronya. "And she reminded me of Kallen who did the same thing back in her day when she was still alive. Kallen used those names too. But let's not dwell on that. Think of it as a beginning of a side-quest." I said. 'Sage's Stone? Is it related to the great sage we're looking for?' I asked myself in my mind.

We then came across a question mark. "Do I know you from somewhere?" Asked the March Hare. "I'm a Question Mark. I am cold and emotionless." Answered the Question Mark. "...... What is subject Question Mark doing here?" Asked Bronya. "I'm a Question Mark. I contemplate about life. Answer my question to pass." Said the Question.  "Subject may deliver questions." "Listen well. Say it all in one breath. What are the known HOMU-kind of the HOMU Kingdom?" "HOMU, HOWO, HOMI, HOLI, and HOMEI." "...impossible... is this the power of a true fan? The path is clear. Life is short, adventurer. Please use it well."

Later on: "Patrick, I can sense bonding power." Said the March Hare. "Alright, March Hare... the scope of your senses seems to be growing, or were you joking again?" I asked. "It's natural for adventurers to level up and acquire new skills in RPG." Said Bronya. "...that sounds reasonable. I don't see anyone with special overhead icons, but that monster sure looks powerful." I replied. "Patrick, it's heading our way." Said the March Hare. "Wow... Time for me to level up as well." I said. "The Bronya shall observe your combat techniques." Said Bronya. "Oh? Just me?" I asked. "Patrick, true adventurers face impossible odds to overcome them." Said the March Hare. "Ok I will." I said before taking out the Judgement of Shamash in my hands. "This will be like back home when I was on solo missions before. If Kirito can fight solo, then so can I."

One fight scene later: I beat the monster as it dispersed. Then I put my weapons away and breathed. "That was exciting. Even without Drago inside of me I can still shoot elemental DMG and energy from my hands. I managed to level up so I'm good." I said before signaling the girls to follow me.

Later on: Weird noises were coming from a distance. I think we opened something amazing. We went to go check it out. As we passed by the Qustion Mark it spoke to us. "A new path has appeared. You shouldn't dally any longer."

'The mud here looks pretty fresh. There used to be a weird tree here, if I'm not mistaken. The strange noise must be emitted from here. What happened? Let's check inside. We stepped on this yellow platform then we warped to another spot behind the snowperson. "This place..." Said the March Hare before Bronya continued for her. "A portal array. The Bronya is surprised to find this in a forest." ""Get behind"... I guess this is how we can pull that off." I said. "Ah, of course! They're receding to a hidden area behind the snowperson!" Said the March Hare. "Wait..." Said a voice. A person was in front of us. "Subject Patrick, there is a special icon above the individual's head..." Said Bronya. "That's right. I am the one you've sensed regarding the special bonding." Said the March Hare. The name is Kepler, an astrologer with a fine repite around this place. I was ambushed by monsters for reasons unknown. Thank goodness a sage passing by rescued me and brought me here. The Sage also told me that some adventurers will help me escape. You must be the ones she spoke of." Explained Kepler.

"This is a very sad story. We must bring her along, Patrick." Said the March Hare. "Oh sweet lady, the stars tell me of a potential romantic tryst with you." Said Kepler. "Subject Patrick, this astrologer... she seems creepy." Said Bronya. "Yes? Aren't you one sweet little thing? Let mama give you a kiss." Said Kepler now trying to kiss Bronya but instead abro ya summoned Project Bunny and opened fire. "Project Bunny, Fire!" And then Kepler got blown up and covered in ashes and then she passed out. "Oh dear. I think she passed out." I said. "All Valkyries must destroy any potential threat on the spot." Said Bronya. "Maybe next time, don't use lethal force, especially your Project Bunny on another potential threat while we're in this game." I said. "Why?" Asked Bronya. "Because it's too much and you should learn to handle potential threats in a non-violent way... Oh forget it... I hope not every "bond" partner is a creep like this one. I guess we'll still take her along. March Hare,  an you help me tie her up?"

[Kepler the Astrologer] and Creep Extraordinaire has joined the party.